Mounting assembly for coupling snowplow or the like to a vehicle

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a mounting assembly for coupling a snowplow or other like implement to a motor vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle or the like. The vehicle has a front end, a rear end and a support frame extending longitudinally between the front and rear ends of the vehicle. The support frame is mounted to the undercarriage of the vehicle. The snowplow mounting assembly includes a hollow push frame having a front end and a rear end. The front end of the push frame is adapted to support the snowplow. A first coupling means connects the rear end of the push frame to the support frame. The snowplow mounting assembly also has attachment means for securing the push frame to the support frame at a location intermediate the front and rear ends of the vehicle. A portion of the attachment means is slideably moveable along the push frame between the front and rear ends thereof. A second coupling means connects the front end of the push frame to the support frame. The snowplow mounting assembly further includes a linkage assembly that is connected to the push frame. The linkage assembly is operable to urge the snowplow to move selectively between a raised, out-of-use position and a lowered, in-use position. A means for actuating the linkage assembly is also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mounting assembly for coupling asnowplow or other like implement to the front end of a motor vehicle,such as an all terrain vehicle or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various mounting assemblies have been devised for coupling snowplows tomotor vehicles, such as pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles. Onetype of conventional snowplow mounting assembly has a frame for mountingto the vehicle and a snowplow assembly removably coupled to the frame.The frame attaches to the vehicle chassis and the front bumper thereof.This type of snowplow mounting assembly also typically includes alifting means for lowering the snowplow to ground level, or raising thesnowplow when not in use. The lifting means may be hydraulicallyactuated or alternatively, it may include a lift cable and wincharrangement.

When using this type of mounting assembly, the front bumper and chassisof the vehicle must often be reinforced to withstand the weight of thesnowplow mounting assembly and the stresses applied to the vehicleresulting from the deployment of the snowplow. Substantial modificationsrequiring drilling and/or welding are sometimes required to attach thesetypes of snowplow mounting assemblies to the vehicle. Thesemodifications can be expensive and may have an adverse impact on theresale value of the vehicle.

Moreover, while this type of mounting assembly may be appropriate forcoupling a snowplow to a tractor or other heavy duty vehicle, it may notto be particularly well-suited for use on light all terrain vehicles(ATVs) which have suspension systems. This is due to the fact that theweight of the snowplow and any load supported thereon must be supportedby the ATV's front suspension system. If the load carried on the frontof the vehicle is excessive, it can cause the front suspension to sag,bottom out, or even collapse.

Another type of known snowplow mounting assembly uses a thrust couplingto mount a snowplow to a vehicle. The thrust coupling has a frame thatmay be mounted to the underframe of the vehicle. A means in the natureof parallelogram arrangement of links is provided at the rear end of theframe for suspending the frame from the rear end of the vehicle. Thefront end of the frame is also secured to the front end of the vehicleby chains or cables. The frame is further braced to the vehicle chassisby means of a lateral strut. The height of the thrust frame relative tothe ground may be adjusted by hydraulic lifting means. Morespecifically, the lifting means includes a hinge block securely fastenedonto the front end of the thrust frame. The hinge block has a pair ofvertically hinged plates mounted on either side thereof. Pivotallyattached to each of the hinged plates are a hydraulic piston and crossarm member. Each hydraulic piston is further pivotally connected to itscorresponding cross arm member. The ends of the cross arm members aresupported by the chains or cables. To urge the snowplow to move betweena raised position and a lowered position the hydraulic pistons areselectively retracted or extended thereby raising lowering the crossarms members. The parallelogram arrangement of links and the cables orchains co-operate with each other to allow the thrust frame to move in agenerally longitudinal (or horizontal) direction.

While this type of mounting assembly overcomes some of the drawbacksassociated with the type of mounting assembly previously describedabove, by distributing a portion of the snowplow load throughout thevehicle frame, the plurality of moving parts and the complexity ofassembly tends to heighten the possibility of malfunction resulting fromthe build-up of ice and dirt. Additionally, there are concerns that suchan assembly could unduly restrict the action of the ATV's suspensionsystem.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a mounting assembly forcoupling a snowplow or other like implement to the front of an ATV thatis of generally simple construction thereby mitigating the risk ofmalfunction. It would further be advantageous to have a mountingassembly wherein the load of the snowplow is distributed throughout thevehicle to prevent damage to the ATV's front suspension system. In thisregard, there is a need for a snowplow mounting assembly that tends notto interfere and/or hinder the proper functioning of the ATV'ssuspension system. Furthermore, a snowplow mounting assembly that couldbe installed onto the ATV quickly and easily would further be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect of an embodiment of the invention, there is providedan assembly for mounting a snowplow to a vehicle. The vehicle has afront end, a rear end and a support frame extending longitudinallybetween the front and rear ends of the vehicle. The support frame ismounted to the undercarriage of the vehicle. The snowplow mountingassembly includes a hollow push frame having a front end and a rear end.The front end of the push frame is adapted to support the snowplow. Thesnowplow mounting assembly also has a first coupling means forconnecting the rear end of the push frame to the support frame and anattachment means for securing the push frame to the support frame at alocation intermediate the front and rear ends of the vehicle. A portionof the attachment means is slideably moveable along the push framebetween the front and rear ends thereof. Further provided is a secondcoupling means for connecting the front end of the push frame to thesupport frame. The snowplow mounting assembly further includes a linkageassembly that is connected to the push frame. The linkage assembly isoperable to urge the snowplow to move selectively between a raised,out-of-use position and a lowered, in-use position. A means foractuating the linkage assembly is also provided.

In an additional feature, the push frame has a length. The length of thepush frame is adjustable to correspond to the length of the vehicle. Thepush frame includes a front portion and rear portion detachablyconnected to the front portion. The front portion of the push frame hasa first cross-sectional area and the rear portion of the push frame hasa second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area isgreater than the first cross-sectional area to thereby permit a part ofthe front portion to be received within the rear portion.

In a further feature, each of the front and rear portions are defined bya pair of opposed sidewalls, an upper wall and a lower wall. The upperand lower walls extend between the opposed sidewalls. The sidewalls ofthe front and rear portions have at least one pair of opposed aperturesdefined therein. The apertures in the sidewalls of the front portion arealignable with the apertures in the sidewalls of the rear portion whenthe front and rear portions are connected to each other. The aperturesare sized to receive a pin for fastening the front portion to the rearportion.

In yet another feature, the first coupling means includes a hitchcarried on the rear end of the push frame. The rear end of the pushframe has a pair of spaced apart mounting arms for receivingtherebetween the hitch. The pair of mounting arms stands proud of therear end of the push frame to face the undercarriage of the vehicle whenthe push frame is mounted to the support frame. In still anotherfeature, the hitch is hingedly mounted between the pair of mountingarms.

In yet a further feature, the snowplow mounting assembly has means foradjusting the height of the hitch relative to the rear end of the pushframe. The attachment means includes a first portion and a secondportion. The first portion is the portion of the attachment means thatis slideably moveable along the push frame between the front and rearends thereof. The second portion is fixed to the support frame. Thefirst portion of the attachment means is a sliding member. The secondportion of the attachment means is a clamping device pivotally connectedto the sliding member. The push frame includes a front portion and rearportion detachably: connected to the front portion. The sliding memberis mounted in substantially surrounding relation to the front portion ofthe push frame and is adapted to slide longitudinally therealong.

In an additional feature, the clamping device includes a pair ofclamping members operatively connected to each other for fastening tothe support frame and a pair of spaced apart mounting arms for carryingthe clamping members therebetween. Each mounting arm has a first endfastened to the clamping members and a second end attached to thesliding member.

In another feature, the snowplow mounting assembly further includes asnowplow support bracket fixed to the push frame adjacent the front endthereof. The linkage assembly includes at least one linkage rod, atleast one bar link, at least one dog-legged link and a generally,L-shaped lever. The at least one linkage rod extends between the frontand rear ends of the push frame. The at least one linkage rod has afront end, a rear end and an elongate slot formed therein adjacent therear end thereof. The at least one bar link has a first end and a secondend. The first end of the at least one bar link is connected to the atleast one linkage rod. The at least one dog-legged link has a first endpivotally connected to the second end of the at least one bar link and asecond end connected to the actuating means. The at least one dog-leggedlink is mounted to the push frame at a link pivot connection locatedintermediate the first and second ends of the at least one dog-leggedlink. The link pivot connection extends into the hollow of the pushframe for connection to the at least one linkage rod. The generallyL-shaped, lever has a first arm and a second arm joined to the firstarm. Each arm has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of thefirst arm being pivotally connected to the second coupling means. Thedistal end of the second arm is connected to the front end of the atleast one linkage rod. The lever is mounted to the snowplow mountingbracket at a lever pivot connection located between the proximal anddistal ends of the second arm. The at least one linkage rod is housedwithin the push frame. The push frame has an elongate slot definedtherein. The rear end of the at least one linkage rod is constrained totravel longitudinally along the slot defined in the push frame.

In still another feature, the at least one linkage rod is a firstlinkage rod and the linkage assembly includes a second linkage rod. Thesecond linkage rod has a front end, a rear end and an elongate slotformed therein between the front and rear ends thereof. The first andsecond linkage rods are disposed within the push frame side-by-side. Thedistal end of the second arm of the lever is connected to the front endof the second linkage rod.

In a further feature, the second linkage rod is housed within the pushframe. The elongate slot of the push frame is a first slot and the pushframe has a second opposed slot defined therein. The rear end of thesecond linkage rod is constrained to travel longitudinally along thesecond slot of the push frame.

In yet another feature, the at least one bar link is a first bar linkand the at least one dog-legged link is a first dog-legged link. Thelinkage assembly includes a second bar link spaced apart from the firstbar link and a second dog-legged link spaced apart from the firstdog-legged link. The second bar link has a first end and a second end.The first end of the second bar link is connected to the second linkagerod. The second dog-legged link has a first end pivotally connected tothe second end of the second bar link and a second end connected to theactuating means. The second dog-legged link is mounted to the push frameat a second link pivot connection located intermediate the first andsecond ends of the second dog-legged link. The second link pivotconnection extends into the hollow of the push frame for connection tothe second linkage rod.

In an additional feature, the actuating means includes manual actuatingmeans. The manual actuating means includes an actuating leveroperatively connected to the linkage assembly. The actuating lever is agenerally L-shaped, actuating lever with a first arm and a second armjoined thereto. Each arm has a proximal end and a distal end. The firstarm is fixedly mounted to the linkage assembly adjacent its distal end.The distal end of the second arm terminates in a handle. The handle ofthe actuating lever is within reach of a driver of the vehicle. Inanother feature, the actuating lever is moveable between an engagedposition whereat the snowplow is in the lowered, in-use position and adisengaged position whereat the snowplow is in the raised, out-of-useposition.

In yet another feature, the snowplow mounting assembly includes meansfor supporting the snowplow on the front end of the push frame. Thesnowplow support means includes a bracket fixed atop the push frameadjacent the front end thereof and a snowplow mounting member forattaching to the snowplow. The mounting member is attached to thebracket.

In a further feature, the push frame has a flange member that extendsfrom the front end of the push frame. The snowplow mounting member restsatop the flange member. The snowplow support means further includesfastening means for securing the snowplow mounting member to the flangemember.

In yet another feature, the mounting member includes a generallysemi-circular plate and a band welded thereto. The semi-circular platehas an arcuate edge and a substantially straight edge. The band extendsalong the arcuate edge of the semi-circular plate. The straight edge ofthe semi-circular plate is disposed opposite the snowplow and thearcuate edge is disposed opposite the bracket, when the mounting memberis attached to the snowplow. The semi-circular plate is pivotallyconnected to the flange member. In an additional feature, the fasteningmeans is pivot connection member and each of the flange member and thesemi-circular plate has an aperture defined therein. The apertures arealigned one with the other to receive therethrough the pivot connectionmember.

In still another additional feature, the snowplow mounting assemblyfurther includes an indexed snowplow orientation assembly operable tofix the snowplow in a predetermined angular position selected from a setof discrete angular positions relative to the front end of the pushframe.

In a further feature, the band has a plurality of indexing aperturesformed therein. Each indexing aperture corresponds to one thepredetermined, angular positions selected from the set of discreteangular positions. The bracket includes a pair of opposed, spaced apart,first and second walls standing proud of the push frame. Each of thefirst and second walls has an opening defined therein. The openings inthe first and second walls are alignable with one of the plurality ofindexing apertures formed in the band. The indexed snowplow orientationmeans includes an indexing pin for insertion into the openings and oneof the plurality of indexing apertures when aligned. The openings in thefirst and second walls, the plurality of indexing apertures and theindexing pin define the indexed snowplow orientation means.

In another feature, the indexing pin is supported by the first andsecond walls and is mounted to extend through the openings definedtherein. The indexing pin is moveable between an engaged position and adisengaged position. In the engaged position, the indexing pin extendsthrough the openings and one of the plurality of indexing apertures inalignment to thereby fix the snowplow in one of the predeterminedangular positions selected from the set of predetermined angularpositions. In the disengaged position, the indexing pin extends short ofany of the plurality of indexing apertures to thereby allowing thesemi-circular plate to be rotated about the pivot connection member andthe snowplow to be moved to one of the predetermined angular positionsselected from the set of predetermined angular positions. Additionally,the indexing pin is spring-loaded and is biased toward the engagedposition.

In a broad aspect of an embodiment of the invention, there is providedan assembly for mounting an implement to a vehicle. The vehicle has afront end, a rear end and a support frame extending longitudinallybetween the front and rear ends of the vehicle. The support frame ismounted to the undercarriage of the vehicle. The implement mountingassembly includes a hollow push frame having a front end and a rear end.The front end of the push frame is adapted to support the implement. Theimplement mounting assembly also has a first coupling means forconnecting the rear end of the push frame to the support frame and anattachment means for securing the push frame to the support frame at alocation intermediate the front and rear ends of the vehicle. A portionof the attachment means is slideably moveable along the push framebetween the front and rear ends thereof. Further provided is a secondcoupling means for connecting the front end of the push frame to thesupport frame. The implement mounting assembly further includes alinkage assembly that is connected to the push frame. The linkageassembly is operable to urge the implement to move selectively between araised, out-of-use position and a lowered, in-use position. A means foractuating the linkage assembly is also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention shall be more clearlyunderstood with reference to the following detailed description of theembodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view showing the snowplow mounting assemblyoperatively connected to an all terrain vehicle shown in stippled lines,the snowplow occupying a raised, out-of-use position;

FIG. 2 is another side elevation view of the snowplow mounting assemblysimilar to that shown in FIG. 1, with the snowplow occupying a lowered,in-use position;

FIG. 3 is a rear right perspective view of the snowplow mountingassembly of FIG. 1 shown mounted to a support frame of the all terrainvehicle, the support frame being shown in stippled lines and the allterrain vehicle being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a front left perspective view of the snowplow mountingassembly of FIG. 2 shown mounted to a support frame of the all terrainvehicle, the support frame being shown in stippled lines and the allterrain vehicle being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded, rear right perspective view of thesnowplow mounting assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the snowplow mounting assembly ofFIG. 3 with the snowplow occupying the raised, out-of-use position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the snowplow mounting assembly ofFIG. 4, but with the snowplow occupying the lowered, in-use-position;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the snowplow mounting assembly shown inFIG. 7, the snowplow being fixed in a first predetermined angularposition relative to the front end of the push frame and having asubstantially perpendicular orientation;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the snowplow mounting assembly ofFIG. 8 taken along line “9-9”;

FIG. 10 is a magnified, partial cross-sectional view of the snowplowsupport means shown in encircled portion “10” in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front left perspective view of the snowplow mountingassembly of FIG. 6 with the support frame removed and certain portionsof the push frame shown in stippled lines to better reveal the linkageassembly;

FIG. 12 is rear left perspective view of the snowplow mounting assemblyof FIG. 7 with the support frame removed and certain portions of thepush frame shown in stippled lines to better reveal the linkageassembly;

FIG. 13 is an isolated, front right perspective view of the indexedsnowplow orientation assembly shown in FIG. 8, the locking pin of theorientation assembly being retracted to permit the snowplow to be movedfrom a first angular position to a second predetermined angularposition;

FIG. 14 is another isolated perspective view of the indexed snowploworientation assembly similar to that illustrated in FIG. 13, showing thesnowplow fixed in the second predetermined angular position; and

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the snowplow mounting assembly shown inFIG. 4 with the snowplow fixed in the second predetermined angularposition and having a skewed orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein areprovided by way of illustration of an example, or examples of particularembodiments of principles and aspects of the present invention. Theseexamples are provided for the purposes of explanation and not oflimitation, of those principles of the invention. In the descriptionthat follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and thedrawings with the same respective reference numerals.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a snowplow mounting assemblydesignated generally with reference numeral 20. The snowplow mountingassembly 20 is mounted to a motor vehicle, such as, a four-wheel,recreational all terrain vehicle (ATV) 22 or the like. The ATV 22 has afront end 24, a rear end 26 and a support frame 28 that attaches to itsundercarriage 30 for mounting the snowplow mounting assembly 20 thereto.The support frame 28 is secured to the undercarriage 30 by welding, orother conventional fastening techniques.

The support frame 28 is disposed between each pair 32, 34 of front andrear wheels and extends longitudinally between the front and rear ends24 and 26 of the ATV 22. The support frame 28 includes a pair of spacedapart support members 36 a and 36 b made of structural steel tubing,joined to each other at generally, U-shaped, front and rear ends 40 and42, respectively. Each end 40, 42 is adapted for connecting to a portionof the snowplow mounting assembly 20. When viewed in side elevation asshown in FIG. 7, the support members 36 a and 36 b extend generallyhorizontally from the rear end 42 toward the front end 40 of the supportframe 28. At a location 44 closer to the front end 40 than to the rearend 42, the support members 36 a and 36 b become generally upturned suchthat the front end 40 is carried higher from the ground than the rearend 42.

Support frame 28 is an example of the type of support frame with whichthe snowplow mounting assembly 20 may be used. It will be appreciatedthat differently configured support frames could be employed instead ofsupport frame 28 and to similar advantage with the appropriatemodifications being made to the snowplow mounting assembly 20.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the snowplow mounting assembly 20has a hollow push beam or frame 50 with a front end 52 and a rear end54. The front end 52 of the push frame 50 is adapted to support asnowplow 56 or other similar, front-mounted, implement or ATV accessory.The rear end 54 of the push frame 50 is connected to the support frame28 by way of a first coupling means 58. The snowplow mounting assembly20 further includes an attachment means 60 for securing the push frame50 to the support frame 28 at a location intermediate the front and rearends 24 and 26 of the ATV 22. A second coupling means 62 connects thefront end 52 of the push frame 50 to the support frame 28. Connected tothe push frame 50 is a linkage assembly 64. The linkage assembly 64 isoperable to urge the snowplow 56 to move selectively between a raised,out-of-use position 66 and a lowered, in-use position 68. A means 70 foractuating the linkage assembly 64 is also provided.

In the preferred embodiment, the push frame 50 is of two-piececonstruction. It has a front portion 72 and a rear portion 74 detachablyconnected to the front portion 72. The front portion 72 carries snowplowsupport means 76 at the front end 52 of the push frame 50. Inparticular, the front portion 72 supports a bracket 78 to which ismounted a portion of the linkage assembly 64.

Each portion 72, 74 is constructed from a generally rectangular hollowstructural steel (HSS) member. In alternative embodiments, structuralsteel members having different shapes in cross-section could also beemployed to similar advantage.

The cross-sectional area of the rear portion 74 is greater than thecross-sectional area of the front portion 72 so as to permit an end ofthe front portion 72 to be received within the rear portion 74. It willthus be appreciated that the length of the push frame 50 may be adjustedto suit the length of the ATV 22 to which the snowplow mounting assembly20 is being attached. Each of the front and rear portions 72 and 74 hasa pair of opposed, relatively short sidewalls 80 a and 80 b (best shownin FIG. 8) and a pair of opposed, relatively wide, upper and lower walls82 and 84 (best shown in FIG. 7). Defined in each of the short sidewalls80 a, 80 b of the front portion 72 is a series of spaced apertures (notshown). A corresponding pair of these apertures are alignable with apair of apertures formed within the short sidewalls 80 a and 80 b of therear portion 74, when the front and rear portions 72 and 74 areconnected to each other. A locking pin 88 inserted within the alignedapertures is used to fasten the front portion 72 to the rear portion 74.

In the preferred embodiment, the coupling means 58 takes the form of ahitch 90 that is carried on the rear end 54 of the push frame 50. Thehitch 90 includes an apertured plate 92 and a mounting rod 94 weldedthereto. The apertured plate 92 is coupled to a corresponding connectionmember 96 carried on the U-shaped rear end 42 of the support frame 28 bya conventional fastener, for instance a pin and lock clip. Connectionmember 96 may be factory installed onto the ATV 22 or alternatively, maybe an “aftermarket” mounted hitch accessory. Additionally, while it ispreferred that the connection member be onto the rear end of the supportframe, in other applications it may be desirable or practical to havethe connection member be mounted to another vehicle component disposedat the rear end of the ATV 22.

The hitch 90 is hingedly mounted between a pair of spaced apart mountingarms 98 that stand proud of the rear end 54 of the push frame 50 to facethe undercarriage 30 of the ATV 22 when the push frame 50 is mounted tothe support frame 28. Each mounting arm 98 has a series of apertures 100defined therein. Each pair of opposed, aligned apertures 100 in themounting arms 98 is adapted to receive therein the opposed ends ofmounting rod 94. Each pair of aligned apertures 100 corresponds to aparticular height. The height at which the hitch 90 is carried relativeto the rear end 54 of the push frame 50 may be adjusted to obtain thedesired mechanical clearance or suspension characteristics by insertingthe mounting rod 94 within that pair of opposed aligned apertures 100corresponding to the desired height.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 7 and 8 the attachment means 60 includes a slidingmember 110 and a clamping device 112 pivotally connected thereto. In thepreferred embodiment, the sliding member 110 is a generally rectangularchannel or sleeve 114 with a cross-sectional area slightly larger thanthat of the front portion 72 of the push frame 50. The sleeve 114 ismounted in substantially surrounding relation to the front portion 72 ofthe push frame 50 and is adapted to slide longitudinally therealong. Aswill be explained in greater detail below, upon actuation of the linkageassembly 64, the sleeve 114 is urged to slide between the front and rearends 52 and 54 of the push frame 50.

The clamping device 112 has a pair of releasable, clamping members—anupper clamping member 120 and a lower clamping member 122—operativelyconnected to each other for fastening to the support frame 28, and apair of spaced apart mounting arms 124 a and 124 b for carrying theclamping members 120 and 122 therebetween (best shown in FIG. 8). Eachmounting arm 124 a, 124 b has a first end 126 fastened to the lowerclamping member 122 and a second end 128 pivotally attached to a flangemember 130 (shown in FIG. 9). The flange member 130 depends downwardlyfrom the sleeve 114 extending below the lower wall 84 of the push frame50.

The lower clamping member 122 extends between, and is retained by, thefirst ends 126 of mounting arms 124 a and 124 b. The upper clampingmember 120 is connected to the lower clamping member 122 by way offasteners in the nature of eyebolts 132. The eyebolts 132 are fixed tothe lower clamping member 122 at spaced apart locations and are sized toreceive the ends of the upper clamping member 120 within theirrespective eyes. When the snowplow mounting assembly 20 is operativelyconnected to the support frame 28, the support members 36 a and 36 b ofsupport frame 28 are held firmly between the upper and lower clampingmembers 120 and 122 (as shown in FIG. 9). This arrangement helps thesnowplow mounting assembly 20 to resist lateral loads applied theretoduring use.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sleeve 114, the mounting arms 124 a and 124, andthe upper and lower clamping members 120 and 122 cooperate with eachother to define an A-frame type mount anchored to the support frame 28.As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the hitch 90 andthe A-frame type mount allow the push frame 50 to “float” relative tothe support frame 28 (i.e. adjust its elevation and travel independentlyof the support frame 28) to accommodate variances in terrain. Thusconfigured, the snowplow mounting assembly 20 tends not to interfere orrestrict the actions of the ATV's suspension system.

In the preferred embodiment, the second coupling means 62 takes the formof an elongate rigid connecting rod 140. The connecting rod 140 has afirst end 142 pivotally attached to a portion of the linkage assembly64, and an opposed second end 144. The second end 144 of the connectingrod 140 is mounted to a fitting 146 for pivotal motion. The fitting 146extends frontwardly from the U-shaped front end 40 of the support frame28.

While it is preferred that the connecting rod 140 be mounted to supportframe 28, in certain applications, it may be desirable or practical toattach the connecting rod to the front bumper of the vehicle, or otherlike vehicle part disposed at the front end of the vehicle.Additionally, the second mounting means 62 need not be a rigidconnecting rod. In an alternative embodiment, the second coupling meansmay take the form of a strap, a cable, a chain, or the like.

It will thus be appreciated that the snowplow mounting assembly 20employs a three-point, connection system for securing to the supportframe 28. This type of connection system better allows the weight of thesnowplow and any load supported thereon to be distributed along thesupport frame, thereby minimizing the risk of damage to the ATV's frontsuspension system.

Referring to FIG. 5, the snowplow mounting assembly 20 is installed ontothe ATV 22 by mating the hitch 90 to the corresponding connection member96 carried by the rear end 42 of the support frame 28. The first end 142of the connecting rod 140 is attached to lever 156 of the linkageassembly 64, while the second end 144 thereof is secured to the fitting146 of the support frame 28. The clamping device 112 is then connectedto the support members 36 a and 36 b. The upper clamping member isremoved from the clamping device 112 to allow the lower clamping member122 to be placed against the support frame 28. The clamping device 112can then be fixed in place by inserting the upper clamping member 120through the eyes of the eyebolt 132. The upper and lower clampingmembers 120 and 122 co-operate with each other to fixedly retain thesupport frame 28 therebetween.

Thus configured, the snowplow mounting assembly 20 may be attached (ordetached) from the support frame 28 of the ATV 22 quickly and easily.Moreover, as will be appreciated the attachment of the snowplow mountingassembly 20 to the ATV 22 does not require substantial modifications inthe nature of welding or drilling to be made to the ATV 22, its chassisor underframe 30.

With reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 12, the linkage assembly 64 is nowdescribed in greater detail. In the preferred embodiment, the linkageassembly 64 includes a pair of linkage rods 150 a and 150 b, a pair ofopposed bar links 152 a and 152 b, a pair of opposed dog-legged links154 a and 154 b and a generally flat, L-shaped lever 156—the foregoingelements being operatively connected to each other as described below.

The linkage rods 150 a and 150 b are elongate, substantially flatmembers that extend between the front and rear ends 52 and 54 of thepush frame 50. In the preferred embodiment, the linkage rods 150 a and150 b are housed side-by-side and in spaced relation to each other,within the hollow of the push frame 50. Each linkage rod 150 a, 150 bhas a front end 158, a rear end 160, a first elongate slot 162 formedtherein adjacent the rear end 160 thereof and a second elongate slot 164formed therein closer to the rear end 160 than to the front end 158. Theslots 162 and 164 are provided to allow the linkage rods 150 a and 150 bto travel longitudinally within the push frame 50.

As will be explained in greater detail below, the linkage rods 150 a and150 b are movable between an extended position 166 (shown in FIG. 12)and a retracted position 168 (shown in FIG. 11) when the linkageassembly 64 is actuated. When moved to the extended position 166, thefront ends 158 of the linkage rods 150 a and 150 b are brought closer tothe front end 52 of the push frame 50. Correspondingly, the front ends158 are moved away from the front end 52 of the push frame 50 when thelinkage rods 150 a and 150 b are brought to their retracted position168.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 11 and 12, the linkage rods 150 a and 150 bare connected to each other at their respective rear ends 160 by aroller member 170. The roller member 170 is constrained to travel alongopposed slots 172 formed in the short sidewalls 80 a and 80 b of thepush frame 50. In effect, the arrangement of roller member 170 and slots172 acts to limit the travel of the linkage rods 150 a and 150 brelative to the push frame 50.

In the present embodiment, the linkage rods 150 a and 150 b are notequally spaced from each other throughout their respective lengths. Morespecifically and as best shown in FIG. 10, the distance between therespective rear ends 160 of the linkage rods 150 a and 150 b is greaterthan the distance separating the respective front ends 158 thereof. Thelinkage rods 150 a and 150 b converge towards each other at theirrespective front ends 158 to connect to the lever 156.

The bar links 152 a and 152 b are spaced apart from each other and aredisposed on either side of the push frame 50. Each of the bar links 152a, 152 b has a first end 180 pivotally connected to the roller member170 and a second end 182 connected to one of the dog-legged links 154 a,154 b, as the case may be.

In like fashion, each of the dog-legged links 154 a, 154 b is spacedfrom the other and is disposed on one side of the push frame 50. Each ofthe dog-legged links 154 a, 154 b also has a first end 184 and secondend 186. The first end 184 of each dog-legged link 154 a, 154 b ispivotally connected to the second end 182 of each bar link 152 a, 152 b,while the second end 186 of each dog-legged link 154 a, 154 b isattached to the actuating means 70. Each of the dog-legged links 154 a,154 b is mounted to a respective short sidewall 80 a, 80 b of the pushframe 50 at a link pivot connection 190 located intermediate the firstand second ends 184 and 186 of each respective dog-legged link 154 a,154 b. The link pivot connections 190 extend into the hollow of the pushframe through apertures formed within the short sidewalls 80 a and 80 b,and are ultimately received within the slots 162 defined in the linkagerods 150 a and 150 b.

While it is preferred that the linkage assembly 64 employ a dualarrangement of opposed linkage rods 150 a and 150, bar links 152 a and152 b, and dog-legged links 154 a and 154 b, it should be appreciatedthat with the appropriate adaptations, a single arrangement could beused to similar advantage. More specifically, in an alternativeembodiment, the linkage assembly could be configured with a singlelinkage rod, bar link and dog-legged link operatively connected to eachother.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the lever 156 is operatively connected tothe linkage rods 150 a and 150 b and to the connecting rod 140, and ispivotally mounted to the bracket 78. The generally L-shaped lever 156has a first lever arm 200 and a second lever arm 202 joined to the firstlever arm 200. The second lever arm 202 is relatively shorter than thefirst lever arm 200. Each lever arm 200, 202 has a proximal end 204, 206and a distal end 208, 210 respectively. The first and second lever arms200 and 202 are joined together at their respective proximal ends 204and 206. The distal end 208 of the first lever arm 200 is pivotallyconnected to the first end 142 of the connecting rod 140. The secondlever arm 202 extends into the hollow of the push frame 50 through anarrow slot 194 defined in the front portion 72. The distal end 210 ofthe second lever arm 202 is attached to the first and second linkagerods 150 a and 150 b at their respective front ends 158 via pinconnections 212. The fulcrum of the lever 156 is situated at a leverpivot connection 214 located approximately midway between the proximaland distal ends 206 and 210 of the second lever arm 202. Extending fromeither side of the lever 156 at the lever pivot connection 214 are pivotpins 216 for insertion in apertures defined in the opposed, spaced-apartsidewalls 220 a and 220 b which partially define the bracket 78.

Upon actuation of the linkage assembly 64, the lever 156 is urged topivot about the lever pivot connection 214 and may be moved between araised position 222 (shown in FIG. 7) and a lowered position 224 (shownin FIG. 6). The travel of the linkage rods 150 a and 150 b between theretracted position 168 and the extended position 166 during actuation ofthe linkage assembly 64 causes a force (push or pull, as the case maybe) to be applied at the distal end 210 of the second lever arm 202. Theapplication of this force creates a moment about the lever pivotconnection 214 and causes the lever 156 to pivot between the raisedposition 222 and the lowered position 224.

In this embodiment, the lever 156 is a unitary component made ofstructural steel bent to obtain the desired shape. In alternativeembodiments, the lever may be manufactured from other metals or likematerials exhibiting the required strength characteristics, and may beshaped differently.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuating means 70 includes amanually-actuated lever 230 operatively connected to the linkageassembly 64. With specific reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the lever 230is generally L-shaped and constructed of structural steel tubing. It hasa first lever arm 232 and a second lever arm 234 joined to the firstlever arm 232. Each lever arm 232, 234 has a proximal end 236, 238 and adistal end 240, 242 respectively. The first and second lever arms 232and 234 are joined together at their respective proximal ends 236 and238. Adjacent its distal end 240, the first lever arm 232 is fixedlysecured to the dog-legged links 154 a and 154 b. More specifically, thefirst lever arm 232 extends through apertures defined in the second ends186 of the dog-legged links 154 a and 154 b to connect to the secondlever arm 234. The distal end 242 of the second lever arm 234 terminatesin a handle 246 that is within reach of a driver of the ATV 22.

The lever 230 is moveable between an engaged position 250 (shown in FIG.7) and disengaged, generally upright, position 252 (shown in FIG. 6).Broadly speaking, when the lever 230 is moved to the disengaged position252, the linkage assembly 64 is actuated and urges the snowplow 56 tomove to the raised, out-of-use position 66.

As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, when the lever 230 is in the disengagedposition 252, the bar links 152 a and 152 b and the dog-legged links 154a and 154 b are fully extended. More specifically, the first ends 180 ofthe bar links 152 a and 152 b are the furthest away from the link pivotconnections 214 of the dog-legged links 154 a and 154 b. The rollermember 170 abuts against the rearward edge of slots 172 formed in theshort sidewalls 80 a and 80 b. The linkage rods 150 a and 150 b are intheir retracted position 168 and the lever 156 is in the loweredposition 224. Moreover, in this arrangement, the upper wall 82 of pushframe 50 abuts the support frame 28.

To deploy the snowplow 56, the driver of the ATV 22 actuates the linkageassembly 64 by bringing the lever 230 to its engaged position 250. Asthe lever 230 moves from its disengaged position 252 to its engagedposition 250, a moment is applied at the link pivot connection 190thereby causing the dog-legged links 154 a and 154 b to rotatethereabout. As the dog-legged links 154 a and 154 b pivot, the firstends 182 of the bar links 152 a and 152 b are brought nearer to the linkpivot connection 190 as shown in FIG. 10. The roller member 170 is urgedto travel along the slot 172 defined in the push frame 50 and thelinkage rods 150 a and 150 b move toward the front end 52 of the pushframe 50. As the linkage rods 150 a and 150 b move to their extendedposition 166, they exert a force against the distal end of the secondlever arm thereby creating a moment about the lever pivot connection214. The moment causes the lever 156 to pivot from the lowered position224 to the raised position 222. The distal end 208 of the first leverarm 200 pivots about the first end 142 of the connecting rod 140. As aresult, the distance measured between the U-shaped end 40 of the supportframe 28 and the front end 52 of the push frame 50 is increased therebypermitting the snowplow 56 to be lowered to ground level. The sleeve 114slides along the push frame 50 to adjust to the varying geometry.

In the present embodiment, the actuating means 70 is manually actuated.However, this need not be the case in every application. In analternative embodiment, with the appropriate modifications, theactuating means could be foot-actuated. For instance, in such anembodiment, the manually actuated lever could be replaced with afoot-actuated pedal. In other embodiments, the actuating means could bemotorized.

The snowplow mounting means 76 is now described in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 8 and 10. The snowplow support means 76 includes thebracket 78 and a snowplow mounting member 260 releasably attached to thebracket 78. The snowplow mounting member is connected to the snowplow56.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the bracket 78 is fixed atop the frontportion 72 of the push frame 50 adjacent the front end 52. It has a base262 welded to the upper wall 82 of the push frame 50, a pair of opposed,spaced apart, first and second walls 264 and 266 standing proud of thebase 262 and extending transverse of the push frame 50. Each of thefirst and second walls 264, 266 has a central opening 268 definedtherein. Extending rearwardly from the side edges of the first wall 264are the opposed, spaced-apart sidewalls 220 a and 220 b between whichthe lever 156 is carried.

The second wall 266 also has a tab 304 that extends from the top edgethereof toward the front end 52 of the push frame 50, substantially at aright angle. The tab 304 and the base 262 co-operate with each other toretain the snowplow mounting member 260 therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 8, the snowplow mounting member 260 includes a plate270 and a band 272 welded thereto. The plate 270 has a generally,semi-circular footprint defined by an arcuate edge 274 and asubstantially, straight edge 276. The band 272 extends along the arcuateedge 274 of the semi-circular plate 270 and has a plurality of apertures278 formed therein at spaced apart locations. Grooves 280 correspondingto, and communicating with, the apertures 278 are also defined in thesemi-circular plate 270.

Projecting beyond the arcuate edge 274 of the semi-circular plate 270are a pair of mounting flanges 282 a and 282 b welded to the end of theband 272. The mounting flanges 282 a and 282 b are used to secure thesnowplow 56 to the snowplow mounting member 260. When the snowplowmounting member 260 is attached to the snowplow 56, the straight edge276 of the semi-circular plate 270 is disposed opposite the snowplow 56and the arcuate edge 274 is disposed opposite the second wall 266 of thebracket 78 as best shown in FIG. 8.

A flange member 284 that extends from the front end 52 of the push frame50 supports the snowplow mounting member 260. In the preferredembodiment, the semi-circular plate 270 is pivotally connected to theflange member 284. More specifically, each of the flange member 284 andthe semi-circular plate 270 has an aperture defined therein. Theaperture in the semi-circular plate 270 is formed in a small nub 286(best shown in FIG. 8) that protrudes from the straight edge 276. Theapertures in the flange member 284 and plate 270 are aligned one withthe other and a fastening means in the nature of a pivot connectionmember 288 is inserted therethrough thereby securing the semi-circularplate. 270 to the flange member 284.

In this arrangement, the semi-circular plate 270 can be made to rotateabout the pivot connection member 288 thereby allowing the orientationof the snowplow 56 to be adjusted relative to the front end 52 of thepush frame 50. An indexed snowplow orientation assembly 290 operable tofix the snowplow 56 in a predetermined angular position selected from aset of discrete angular positions relative to the front end 52 of thepush frame 50, is further provided.

The indexed snowplow orientation assembly 290 is partially defined bythe plurality of apertures 278 defined in the band 272 and the grooves280 formed in the semi-circular plate 270. Each respective pair ofaperture 278 and corresponding groove 280 serves as an indexing aperture294. Each indexing aperture 294 corresponds to one the predeterminedangular positions. The semi-circular plate 270 may be rotated aboutpivot connection member 288 to place one of the indexing apertures 294in alignment with the central opening 268 defined in the second wall 266of the bracket 78. The angular position of the snowplow 56 may be fixedby inserting an indexing pin 296 through the aligned opening 268 and theindexing aperture 294.

The indexing pin 296 is supported by the first and second walls 264 and266 and is mounted to extend through the openings 268 defined therein.The indexing pin 296 is moveable between an engaged position 298 and adisengaged position 300. In the engaged position 298 (best shown in FIG.10), the indexing pin 296 extends through the openings 268 and one ofthe plurality of indexing apertures 294 in alignment to thereby preventrotation of the semi-circular, plate 270 and lock the snowplow 56 in theselected angular position. Conversely, in the disengaged position 300(best shown in FIG. 13), the indexing pin 296 is retracted such that itextends short of the indexing aperture 294. The indexing pin 296 doesnot interfere with rotation of the semi-circular plate 270 therebyallowing the snowplow 56 to be moved to the desired angular position. Inthe preferred embodiment, the indexing pin 296 is spring-loaded andbiased toward the engaged position 298.

FIG. 8 shows the snowplow 56 disposed in a substantially perpendicularorientation 306 relative to the front end 52 of the push frame 50. Tochange the orientation of the snowplow 56, the driver of the ATV 22grasps the handle 302 of the indexing pin 296 and retracts the indexingpin to its disengaged position 300. The semi-circular plate 270 isrotated until the opening 268 is aligned with the indexing aperture 294corresponding to the desired angular position of the snowplow 56.Thereafter, the indexing pin 296 is released and urged to move to itsengaged position 298 thereby locking the snowplow 56 in a relativelyskewed orientation 308 relative to the front end 52 of the push frame 50(as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15).

With reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and 12, the snowplow 56 and its attachmentto the snowplow mounting member 260 are now described. The snowplow 56includes a plowboard 310 with a generally concave profile. The plowboard310 has a front face 312, a rear face 314 and upper and lower margins316 and 318. Extending horizontally across the width of the plowboard310 is a reinforcement member in the nature of an angle iron 320. Theangle iron 320 is welded to the rear face 314 of the plowboard 310 alongits lower margin 318. A scraper blade 322 with a cutting edge isfastened to the front face 312 of the plowboard 310 and the angle iron320. Additional reinforcement members in the nature of spaced apart ribs324 a and 324 b are connected to the angle iron 316 and extend betweenthe upper and lower margins 316 and 318 of the plowboard 310. Along theupper margin 316, the plowboard 310 has a top return flange 326 which isbent to extend rearwardly for increased strength. The upper margin 316is further reinforced by a plate 328 fastened thereto.

The plowboard 310 is connected to the snowplow mounting member 260 viathe mounting flanges 282 a and 282 b. More specifically, each mountingflange 282 a, 282 b is attached to a corresponding rib 324 a and 324 busing conventional fasteners, such as screws or bolts. To limit theamount of angular displacement of the plowboard 310 relative to themounting flanges 282 a and 282 b, stop blocks 330 a and 330 b areprovided. The stop blocks 330 a and 330 b are welded onto the ribs 324 aand 324 b at a location above where the mounting flanges 282 a and 282 bare attached to the ribs 324 a and 324 b.

In the embodiments described, the mounting assembly 20 is used to couplea snowplow 56 to the front end of an ATV 22. However, it should beappreciated that a mounting assembly constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention could be employed to couple other types ofplows such as those used for plowing sand, gravel or dirt to the frontend of an ATV, to similar advantage. Moreover, the mounting assemblycould be used for connecting other implements (such as, farming oragricultural implements) or ATV accessories to a vehicle. Examples ofsuch implements include snowblowers, bristle brushes and front-end mowerdecks.

Although the foregoing description and accompanying drawings relate tospecific preferred embodiments of the present invention as presentlycontemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that variouschanges, modifications and adaptations, may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

1. An assembly for mounting a snowplow to a vehicle, the vehicle havinga front end, a rear end and a support frame extending longitudinallybetween the front and rear ends of the vehicle, the support frame beingmounted to the undercarriage of the vehicle, the snowplow mountingassembly comprising: a hollow push frame having a front end and a rearend, the front end of the push frame being adapted to support thesnowplow; first coupling means for connecting the rear end of the pushframe to the support frame; attachment means for securing the push frameto the support frame at a location intermediate the front and rear endsof the vehicle, a portion of the attachment means being slideablymoveable along the push frame between the front and rear ends thereof;second coupling means for connecting the front end of the push frame tothe support frame; a linkage assembly connected to the push frame; thelinkage assembly being operable to urge the snowplow to move selectivelybetween a raised, out-of-use position and a lowered, in-use position;and means for actuating the linkage assembly.
 2. The snowplow mountingassembly of claim 1 wherein the push frame has a length, the length ofthe push frame being adjustable to correspond to the length of thevehicle.
 3. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 2 wherein the pushframe includes a front portion and rear portion detachably connected tothe front portion.
 4. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 3 wherein:the front portion of the push frame has a first cross-sectional area;the rear portion of the push frame has a second cross-sectional area;and the second cross-sectional area is greater than the firstcross-sectional area to thereby permit a part of the front portion to bereceived within the rear portion.
 5. The snowplow mounting assembly ofclaim 4 wherein: each of the front and rear portions are defined by apair of opposed sidewalls, an upper wall and a lower wall; the upper andlower walls extending between the opposed sidewalls; the sidewalls ofthe front and rear portions have at least one pair of opposed aperturesdefined therein; the apertures in the sidewalls of the front portionbeing alignable with the apertures in the sidewalls of the rear portionwhen the front and rear portions are connected to each other; theapertures being sized to receive a pin for fastening the front portionto the rear portion.
 6. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 1wherein the first coupling means includes a hitch carried on the rearend of the push frame.
 7. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 6wherein the rear end of the push frame has a pair of spaced apartmounting arms for receiving therebetween the hitch, the pair of mountingarms standing proud of the rear end of the push frame to face theundercarriage of the vehicle when the push frame is mounted to thesupport frame.
 8. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 7 wherein thehitch is hingedly mounted between the pair of mounting arms.
 9. Thesnowplow mounting assembly of claim 8 further comprising means foradjusting the height of the hitch relative to the rear end of the pushframe.
 10. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein theattachment means includes a first portion and a second portion, thefirst portion being the portion of the attachment means that isslideably moveable along the push frame between the front and rear endsthereof, the second portion being fixed to the support frame.
 11. Thesnowplow mounting assembly of claim 10 wherein: the first portion of theattachment means is a sliding member; and the second portion of theattachment means is a clamping device pivotally connected to the slidingmember.
 12. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 11 wherein: the pushframe includes a front portion and rear portion detachably connected tothe front portion; and the sliding member is mounted in substantiallysurrounding relation to the front portion of the push frame and isadapted to slide longitudinally therealong.
 13. The snowplow mountingassembly of claim 11 wherein the clamping device includes a pair ofclamping members operatively connected to each other for fastening tothe support frame and a pair of spaced apart mounting arms for carryingthe clamping members therebetween, each mounting arm having a first endfastened to the clamping members and a second end attached to thesliding member.
 14. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 1 whereinthe second coupling means includes a connecting rod.
 15. The snowplowmounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the second coupling means includesa connector selected from the group consisting of: (a) a strap; (b) acable; and (c) a chain.
 16. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 1wherein: the snowplow mounting assembly further includes a snowplowsupport bracket fixed to the push frame adjacent the front end thereof;and the linkage assembly includes: at least one linkage rod extendingbetween the front and rear ends of the push frame, the at least onelinkage rod having a front end, a rear end and an elongate slot formedtherein adjacent the rear end thereof; at least one bar link having afirst end and a second end, the first end of the at least one bar linkbeing connected to the at least one linkage rod; at least one dog-leggedlink having a first end pivotally connected to the second end of the atleast one bar link and a second end connected to the actuating means,the at least one dog-legged link being mounted to the push frame at alink pivot connection located intermediate the first and second ends ofthe at least one dog-legged link, the link pivot connection extendinginto the hollow of the push frame for connection to the at least onelinkage rod; and a generally L-shaped, lever having a first arm and asecond arm joined to the first arm; each arm having a proximal end and adistal end, the distal end of the first arm being pivotally connected tothe second coupling means, the distal end of the second arm beingconnected to the front end of the at least one linkage rod, the leverbeing mounted to the snowplow mounting bracket at a lever pivotconnection located between the proximal and distal ends of the secondarm.
 17. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 16 wherein: the atleast one linkage rod is housed within the push frame; and the pushframe has an elongate slot defined therein, the rear end of the at leastone linkage rod being constrained to travel longitudinally along theslot defined in the push frame.
 18. The snowplow mounting assembly ofclaim 17 wherein: the at least one linkage rod is a first linkage rod;the linkage assembly includes a second linkage rod, the second linkagerod having a front end, a rear end and an elongate slot formed thereinbetween the front and rear ends thereof; the first and second linkagerods are disposed within the push frame side-by-side; and the distal endof the second arm of the lever is connected to the front end of thesecond linkage rod.
 19. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 18wherein: the second linkage rod is housed within the push frame; theelongate slot of the push frame is a first slot; and the push frame hasa second opposed slot defined therein, the rear end of the secondlinkage rod being constrained to travel longitudinally along the secondslot of the push frame.
 20. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 19wherein the linkage assembly further includes a roller member joiningthe rear end of the first linkage rod to the rear end of the secondlinkage rod.
 21. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 19 wherein: theat least one bar link is a first bar link; the at least one dog-leggedlink is a first dog-legged link; and the linkage assembly includes asecond bar link spaced apart from the first bar link and a seconddog-legged link spaced apart from the first dog-legged link; the secondbar link having a first end and a second end, the first end of thesecond bar link being connected to the second linkage rod; the seconddog-legged link having a first end pivotally connected to the second endof the second bar link and a second end connected to the actuatingmeans, the second dog-legged link being mounted to the push frame at asecond link pivot connection located intermediate the first and secondends of the second dog-legged link, the second link pivot connectionextending into the hollow of the push frame for connection to the secondlinkage rod.
 22. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 21 wherein: thelever of the linkage assembly is a first lever; and the actuating meansincludes a second generally L-shaped, lever; the second lever having afirst arm and a second arm joined to the first arm; each arm of thesecond lever having a proximal end and a distal end; the first arm ofthe second lever being fixedly mounted to the second ends of the firstand second bar links; the distal end of the second arm terminating in ahandle.
 23. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein theactuating means includes manual actuating means.
 24. The snowplowmounting assembly of claim 23 wherein the manual actuating meansincludes an actuating lever operatively connected to the linkageassembly.
 25. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 24 wherein: theactuating lever is a generally L-shaped, actuating lever having a firstarm and a second arm joined thereto; each arm has a proximal end and adistal end; the first arm is fixedly mounted to the linkage assemblyadjacent its distal end; and the distal end of the second arm terminatesin a handle.
 26. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 25 wherein thehandle of the actuating lever is within reach of a driver of thevehicle.
 27. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 24 wherein theactuating lever is moveable between an engaged position whereat thesnowplow is in the lowered, in-use position and a disengaged positionwhereat the snowplow is in the raised, out-of-use position.
 28. Thesnowplow mounting assembly of claim 1 further comprising means forsupporting the snowplow on the front end of the push frame.
 29. Thesnowplow mounting assembly of claim 28 wherein the snowplow supportmeans includes: a bracket fixed atop the push frame adjacent the frontend thereof; and a snowplow mounting member for attaching to thesnowplow, the mounting member being attached to the bracket.
 30. Thesnowplow mounting assembly of claim 29 wherein: the push frame has aflange member that extends from the front end of the push frame; and thesnowplow mounting member rests atop the flange member.
 31. The snowplowmounting assembly of claim 30 wherein the snowplow support means furtherincludes fastening means for securing the snowplow mounting member tothe flange member.
 32. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 31wherein the mounting member includes a generally semi-circular plate anda band welded thereto; the semi-circular plate having an arcuate edgeand a substantially straight edge; the band extending along the arcuateedge of the semi-circular plate; the straight edge of the semi-circularplate being disposed opposite the snowplow and the arcuate edge beingdisposed opposite the bracket, when the mounting member is attached tothe snowplow.
 33. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 32 wherein thesemi-circular plate is pivotally connected to the flange member.
 34. Thesnowplow mounting assembly of claim 33 wherein: the fastening means ispivot connection member; and each of the flange member and thesemi-circular plate has an aperture defined therein, the apertures beingaligned one with the other to receive therethrough the pivot connectionmember.
 35. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 34 furthercomprising an indexed snowplow orientation assembly operable to fix thesnowplow in a predetermined angular position selected from a set ofdiscrete angular positions relative to the front end of the push frame.36. The snowplow mounting assembly of claim 35 wherein: the band has aplurality of indexing apertures formed therein, each indexing aperturecorresponding to one the predetermined angular positions selected fromthe set of discrete angular positions; the bracket includes a pair ofopposed, spaced apart, first and second walls standing proud of the pushframe; the each of the first and second walls having an opening definedtherein, the openings in the first and second walls being alignable withone of the plurality of indexing apertures formed in the band; and theindexed snowplow orientation means includes an indexing pin forinsertion into the openings and one of the plurality of indexingapertures when aligned; the openings in the first and second walls, theplurality of indexing apertures and the indexing pin defining theindexed snowplow orientation means.
 37. The snowplow assembly of claim36 wherein: the indexing pin is supported by the first and second wallsand is mounted to extend through the openings defined therein; theindexing pin being moveable between an engaged position and a disengagedposition; in the engaged position, the indexing pin extending throughthe openings and one of the plurality of indexing apertures in alignmentto thereby fix the snowplow in one of the predetermined angularpositions selected from the set of predetermined angular positions; inthe disengaged position, the indexing pin extending short of any of theplurality of indexing apertures to thereby allowing the semi-circularplate to be rotated about the pivot connection member and the snowplowto be moved to one of the predetermined angular positions selected fromthe set of predetermined angular positions.
 38. The snowplow mountingassembly of claim 37 wherein the indexing pin is spring-loaded.
 39. Thesnowplow mounting assembly of claim 38 wherein the indexing pin isbiased toward the engaged position.
 40. The snowplow mounting assemblyof claim 28 further comprising a snowplow carried by the snowplowsupporting means.
 41. An assembly for mounting a snowplow to a vehicle,the vehicle having a front end, a rear end and a support frame extendinglongitudinally between the front and rear ends of the vehicle, thesupport frame being mounted to the undercarriage of the vehicle, thesnowplow mounting assembly comprising: a hollow push frame having afront end and a rear end, the front end of the push frame being adaptedto support the snowplow; first coupling means for connecting the rearend of the push frame to the rear end of the vehicle; attachment meansfor securing the push frame to the support frame at a locationintermediate the front and rear ends of the vehicle, a portion of theattachment means being slideably moveable along the push frame betweenthe front and rear ends thereof; second coupling means for connectingthe front end of the push frame to the first end of the vehicle; alinkage assembly connected to the push frame; the linkage assembly beingoperable to urge the snowplow to move selectively between a raised,out-of-use position and a lowered, in-use position; and means foractuating the linkage assembly.
 42. An assembly for mounting animplement to a vehicle, the vehicle having a front end, a rear end and asupport frame extending longitudinally between the front and rear endsof the vehicle, the support frame being mounted to the undercarriage ofthe vehicle, the implement mounting assembly comprising: a hollow pushframe having a front end and a rear end, the front end of the push framebeing adapted to support the implement; first coupling means forconnecting the rear end of the push frame to the support frame;attachment means for securing the push frame to the support frame at alocation intermediate the front and rear ends of the vehicle, a portionof the attachment means being slideably moveable along the push framebetween the front and rear ends thereof; second coupling means forconnecting the front end of the push frame to the support frame; alinkage assembly connected to the push frame; the linkage assembly beingoperable to urge the implement to move selectively between a raised,out-of-use position and a lowered, in-use position; and means foractuating the linkage assembly.